Our Board
Jeff Hearn, Past President (2007 – 2009)
Chairman of the Bahamas Habitat Foundation & Grants Committee
Contact Information: 105 Maron Street, NE, St. Petersburg, Florida 33704
Work: Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Specialist
Raymond James & Associates
Financial Planner/Asset Management
Faith & Community:
• Active Member, First United Methodist Church, St. Petersburg, FL
• Chairman, Bayfront Health Foundation. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Bayfront Health Systems, an independent not-for-profit healthcare organization with more than $200 million of annual revenue.
• Member, Investment Oversight Committee for the City of St. Petersburg
• Board Member, Florida Southern College
• Board Member, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership
• Past President, Rotary Club of St. Petersburg
• Youth Counselor at First United Methodist Church
Why I support Bahamas Methodist Habitat and am a Bahamas Habitat Board Member: Bahamas Methodist Habitat is a perfect program to introduce volunteers to mission work outside the United States. Travel to the Bahamas is fairly easy with most islands within a one-hour flight of Miami. The out islands are very safe with very little incidence of crime. The citizens of the Bahamas speak English which makes communication easy and building relationships a natural occurrence when working together in the community. For trip leaders, the Bahamas Methodist Habitat program offers a turn-key mission trip. The trip leader coordinates fundraising and air transportation to the Bahamas, after that BMH takes care of all remaining details. The out islands of the Bahamas are full of natural beauty but it can’t conceal the poverty that is also evident. The needs are similar to those in other less developed countries with sub-standard housing being one of the most prevalent. Volunteers usually start thinking about their next trip to the Bahamas before they leave the islands. When they return to the U.S., volunteers have a new appreciation for their many material blessings, a renewed appreciation for the United States, and a feeling that they have made a difference in the life of someone less fortunate.
John Armstrong
, Chairman & President
Dental Committee Member
BahamasHabitat.org webmaster
Contact Information: 204 Release Circle, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
Email: info@bahamashabitat.org Phone: 919-349-1492
Work: Aircraft Sales – Regional Manager, Premier Aircraft & Dominion Aircraft Sales
Market and sell high performance general aviation aircraft
Entrepreneur – President, Five Star Marketing, Inc.
Faith & Community:
• Raised in the Methodist Church
• Private, Instrument, Commercial, Multi-engine Pilot
• Member of EAA and AOPA
• Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Why I support Bahamas Habitat - One trip to Eleuthera and I was hooked. I felt clearly led to help spear head this mission to make a significant impact. I saw so clearly how the potential of bringing aviators to this unique opportunity to serve and give back would be extremely powerful. My spirit of adventure, my love of the Bahamas and flying along with a sincere leading by the Lord has me involved with this ministry. I look forward to all the things that will come through God’s hand in this ministry.
Steve Merritt, Treasurer and “Chief Logistics Officer”
Chairman of the Aviation Committee
Contact Information: 103 Dumbarton Court, Cary, North Carolina 27511
Email: steve.merritt@mindspring.com Phone: 919-280-5510
Work: Professional Pilot & Instructor
Contract Executive Pilot, State of North Carolina
Faith & Community:
Active Member, First United Methodist Church, Cary, NC
Former Chairman of Administrative Board,
First United Methodist Church, Cary, NC
Scouting Ministry Coordinator, FUMC Cary
Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
Treasurer, Able Flight, Inc.
Member, Aero Club of Washington
Member, First Flight Society
Member, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Air Division
Steve holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration with airplane single and multi-engine land and sea ratings. He is experienced in 62 different aircraft types. He is a Certificated Flight Instructor for single and multi-engine airplanes, instruments and gliders. He has received the Silver Beaver Award from the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America in recognition for outstanding service to youth.
Why I support Bahamas Habitat. When I first saw Eleuthera, I gasped, “This really is paradise!” As I visited the island I discovered the absolute beauty of the island and the seeming contradiction of the grinding poverty of the people who live there. I decided after meeting with Abraham McIntyre that I would do my best to make a difference in the lives of the people on Eleuthera. I realized that I really am my brother’s keeper.
Daniel E. Markle, Board Member and Past Construction Service Chairman
Contact Information: 12082 Siesta Drive. Fort Myers Beach, Florida
33931
Work: President, The Markle Group Inc.
Owner/Developer/Site Location Specialist
Commercial & Residential Real Estate Sales
Faith & Community:
• Member, Cypress Lake United Methodist Church (since 1986)
• Member, Missions committee, Board of Trustees. Attend regularly.
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity.
• Member, Finance Committee for Young Life since 1986.
• Involved with the Walk to Emmaus since 1995, served as Lay Director in 2003. Worked on 14 Walk to Emmaus Walk teams.
• Involved with Vince Rizzo’s Feed the Poor Ministries from 2000 to 2004.
Why I support Bahamas Methodist Habitat and am a Bahamas Habitat Board Member: God expects us to help one another. There is a great need in the Bahamas for housing and relief work. My two areas of personal concern are the homeless and needy and our most precious resource–our youth.
Randy Redden, Secretary
Bio and photo coming soon
Earle Boyter & Connie Boyter, Board Members
PO Box 2894
Vero Beach, FL 32961-2894
Earle is currently a Principle at Premier Aircraft Sales, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale FL
Earle’s career includes:
25 Years Experience in Aircraft Marketing & Sales
Over 8,000 hrs Total Flight Time with Commercial, Multi and Instrument Ratings
Completed Piper Factory Malibu & Mirage Courses
Completed Flight Safety Cheyenne III School
Completed SIMCOM TBM700 School
Served on Board of Directors of the General Aviation Market Expansion Program
Reputation as “Re-Launch Expert” Helping Various Manufacturers Grow with New Products and Programs
VP Marketing and Sales – PIPER AIRCRAFT
VP Sales – DIAMOND AIRCRAFT
VP U.S.A. Marketing SOCATA AIRCRAFT
VP Sales MOONEY AIRCRAFT
Lives in Vero Beach, Florida
Married to Connie, Church Musician
Took off 2 years to serve as a Missionary in 2003
A man of strong faith eager to spread the Gospel
Connie is very active on the Bahamas Habitat Board and her info will be updated very soon 
Jeff Moore, Board Member
Contact Information: 905 Hillside Avenue. Liberty, Missouri 64068
Work: Enterpreneur
President, Holmor, Inc. & Four Lands Transportation Inc.
Faith & Community:
• Active Member, Second Baptist Church, Liberty, MO since 1980
• When in Eleuthera we attend Wesley Methodist Church in James Cistern
• Former Board Member, Immacolata Manor Thrift, a non-denominational not-for-profit agency providing housing and care services for women with developmental disabilities.
• Helped found Lydia’s Robes, a non-denominational organization that provided “new” clothing for children in need through school counselors.
• Recently organized a clothing drive for the Cancer Society of Palmetto Point to coincide with the donation of a bus to the Wesley Methodist Church – James Cistern, Eleuthera
• Member, Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
• Registered Securities Principal (NASD)
Why I support Bahamas Methodist Habitat and am a Bahamas Habitat Board Member: BMH transforms 2 dimensional scripture into a 3D faith journey, while helping me answer the call I feel to the people of Eleuthera and the Bahamas!
R. Dwayne Gafford, Board Member and Construction Services Chairman
Contact information: 13310 Wood Creek, Baton Rouge, LA. 70818
Website: www.GaffordBuilders.com
Work:
President and owner of Gafford Builders, Inc. 11 years. Home builder and light commercial construction.
President and owner of Victoria Investment Properties LLC. 3 years Develop/Own /Manage commercial real estate.
Faith and Community:
I’m a pup in the flying world having just received my private April. 2008 and my Instrument June 2009. Currenty l own 1979 Grumman Tiger.
Why I support Bahamas Habitat:
On my first visit to Eleuthera I felt a peace and call to return. I was impressed and encouraged by Abe’s vision and passion for the local people. I also was stirred by John and Steve’s passion for getting pilots involved. I can’t quite put my finger on the one reason why I’m lead to be involved in this Bahamas’ mission. But, I do know God has placed a calling in my life to do construction mission and to share the good news of Jesus and his love through the giving of my time, money and talents. I can see where my talents can be used and I fill God is calling me to make the Bahamas one of the places to make my self available for his work.
Bill Shivers, Board Member
Contact Information: 219 8th St. E., Tierra Verde, Florida 33715
Work: Retired
Pilot, Owner and Manager, Flite Services, Inc., Dekalb Peachtree Airport, Atlanta, GA for 15 years
Owner and Manager, Partitions, Inc., Atlanta, GA for 8 years.
Salesman, Architect Service Representative and Manager,
Architect Service Dept., United States Gypsum Co., Atlanta and Chicago for 7 years.
Project Manager for general contractor, St. Petersburg, FL for 3 years.
Faith & Community:
• Active Member, The Island Chapel, Tierra Verde, FL
• Graduated Bachelor of Building Construction, University of Florida, 1958
• Served 3 years United States Coast Guard.
• Member, Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, FL.
• President St. Petersburg Yacht Club Flying Club.
• Vice President Experimental Aircraft Assoc., Chapter 47, St. Petersburg.
• Active pilot for Angel Flight Southeast. Pilot and flight coordinator for flights for Bahamas Habitat (flights originating
at St. Petersburg). Flights for Angel Flight and Bahamas Habitat are 100% donated flights.
Why I support Bahamas Methodist Habitat and am a Bahamas Habitat Board Member:
The Bahamas Methodist Habitat offers me an opportunity to give back to people that are not materially as fortunate as we are. My aircraft enables me to help others by offering transportation for volunteer workers. I am especially interested in programs that are targeted at helping the youth of the Bahamas and providing health services for the Bahamas. All of the wealth that we have has come from God and it is our responsibility to use that wealth to serve Him as best we can by helping others.
Mark Buhlig, Board Member
Contact Information: North Jewell Street, Liberty, MO, 64068 816.781.3769
After over 30 years in home construction I finally realized I was never going to make a fortune. I also realized I had my priorities misplaced. In 2004, after saying someday to service trips, I finally decided I will say someday no more. That first trip was to Juarez, Mexico and it has been a wild ride ever since. My first of several trips to Eleuthera was in 2007. I continue to try and make that small place on the map a place of mutual legacy between my friends in Eleuthera and my friends in Liberty. One thing that has been consistent for me in this pilgrimage of service is the growing understanding that service is simply a vehicle. Relationship is the destination.
Robert Schellenberg, Board Member
Contact Information: 421 Piedmont Ave Rocky Mount, NC 27903 252-904-1327
I’ve been a private pilot for ten years and have a piper warrior. More importantly, I’m a deacon at First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount and have worked in Rocky Mount for twenty years. I’m a GI doc and have been to two trips for Bahamas Habitat this year. I’ve also gone on a medical mission trip to Cambodia and plan to go again next spring.
I wanted to share with you what this past weekend meant to me. There I was working on Charlie’s house putting up the ceiling as best as I could. I was tired from traveling, putting up with the mosquitoes at night and having to measure about every angle because nothing in the entire house was a ninety degree angle. Our crew was doing the best job possible to show our love in Christ for Charlie. As I was tacking up some trim, it came to me that if we were spending this much effort in a single room in Charlie’s house, how much MORE Christ is preparing for us. He told us that in His Fathers house were many rooms and that He is actively preparing a room for each one of us. How much more love and care is going into each of our rooms!
Freddie Furgeson, Board Member
Contact Information: Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera, Bahamas 242-470-4807
Work: Owner of Ferguson Properties, Eleuthera Bahamas
Reverend of James’ Cistern Wesley Methodist Church
